Senate Bill 5 updates: Forum at YSU on Monday, major rally in Columbus on Tuesday

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio Education Association affiliates representing classified staff, administrative professionals and professors at Youngstown State University are inviting all public and private-sector unions and interested people in the Mahoning Valley to a public forum on Ohio Senate Bill 5.

The forum, which is also open to others who are interested, is set for 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center on the campus of Youngstown State University.

Senate Bill 5 seeks to end collective bargaining for state employees in Ohio and proposes restrictions on bargaining for other public employees in the state.

It is similar to legislation in Wisconsin that has drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators to that state’s capital, Madison.

The Mahoning County Democratic Party also is planning a bus trip to Columbus on Tuesday. There, a rally will take place at 1 p.m. at the Statehouse, the same afternoon that further hearings and a possible committee vote on the bill are expected to take place.